China News Agency, Washington, June 25 (Reporter Chen Mengtong) US President Trump met with Polish President Duda at the White House on the 24th. Both parties stated that they will strengthen cooperation in research and development of new coronary pneumonia vaccines and drugs, and hope to reach a defense cooperation agreement within the framework of NATO.

  This is the first time Trump has met with foreign leaders in the White House since the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia epidemic. Poland will hold presidential elections on the 28th, and Duda seeks re-election. He visited the United States in June last year, when the two sides had reached agreement on additional defense cooperation such as the deployment of US troops. Poland also announced the purchase of 32 F-35 fighter jets and LNG worth approximately US$8 billion.

  Judging from the statement issued by the White House and the joint communiqué of the two sides, the content discussed by the two sides on the 24th, in addition to the cooperation in the fight against epidemic, basically continued the issue of a year ago. The White House statement said that Trump hopes that the two countries will finalize a defense cooperation agreement as soon as possible to strengthen military cooperation and ensure regional security in the context of the "post-Chinese treaty".

  At the joint press conference held by the two sides, Du Da said that a large part of the discussion between the two was related to the new coronary pneumonia epidemic. Most importantly, scientists from the two countries will strengthen cooperation in research and development of new coronary pneumonia vaccines and drugs.

  Trump focused his speech on the defense funding of NATO member states. He once again criticized the lack of defense spending of some allies and praised Poland's work in this area. Trump said that Poland proposed to increase the size of US troops stationed in Poland. The United States may deploy some US troops withdrawn from Germany to Poland.

  Trump said that there are currently about 52,000 US troops stationed in Germany. "We will significantly reduce this to 25,000." Some of the cutback US troops will go home, and some will be stationed in Poland and other European countries.

  Duda subsequently stated that he did not deny that he had asked the United States not to withdraw its troops from Europe because it was very important to the security of Poland and Europe. Poland is ready to accept more American troops.

  Poland joined NATO in 1999, and there are about 4,500 US troops stationed in Poland, serving as garrisons. While the U.S. increased its military personnel, Poland agreed to invest in the construction of various types of infrastructure necessary for the deployment of additional U.S. troops.

  In terms of energy cooperation, the US will ensure the supply of LNG to Poland until the end of 2023. The two sides also intend to expand energy cooperation, especially in civil nuclear energy. (Finish)